Meldola

Meldola lies at the beginnig of the Bidente valley. Its history is marked by fierce battles and fights to gain power on this strategic place.


The archbishops of Ravenna built in the 11th century the Castle that today still dominates the town. Like all Romagna towns and villages, Meldola was fist ruled by the Papal state and later by the Venetians and different families.


Among these families the most remarkable were the Ordelaffi, the Malatesta, Cesare Borgia, Pio da Carpi, the Aldobrandini and Doria Panphili.


They all left monumental constructions that still make this town characteristic: the Aldobrandini Gallery,the Venetian Bridge, the Church of Madonna del Sasso, the Doria Pamphili Building, known as the native house of the patriot Felice Orsini. In 1797 Meldola fell under the occupation of the French revolutionary troops. Following the Papal Restoration, the town is again in 1815 governed by the old lords Borghese Aldobrandini who givein 1834 the property of Meldola fortress to the Doria Pamphili until 1922.


Meldola is a little town of about nine thousand inhabitants.


It enjoys a lovely position, at only 40 km. from the touristic Adriatic coast and not more than 40 km. from Calla Pass and Campigna forest. Meldola and its surroundings were a meeting point for the Umbrian tribes (living on the hilly slopes) and the Gallic populations (living on the plain). This area hosted many Romanised families during the period of colonization as is confirmed by many marbles and mosaics of that time.


The following centuries were marked by fierce battles and fights to gain power on this strategic area. The archbishops of Ravenna built the Castle that today still dominates Meldola. Like all the towns and villages of Romagna, Meldola was under the rule of different lords and noble families.


Among these families the most remarkable were the Ordelaffi, the Malatesta, the Aldobrandini who left monumental constructions that still make this town characteristic (the Aldobrandini Gallery and the Venetian Bridge. Meldola was an important economic centre for silkworm breeding (with a related museum), spinning factories, quarries and agro-industrial markets that attracted the attention of many national and international businessmen. Its business activities let Meldola gain the title of City according to royal decree dated 7th September 1862. Nowadays the economy of this town is based on breeding, agriculture, building activities, wood handicrafts, furniture handicrafts, brickworks, metal-mechanic, plastic and clothing industries. All these industries are located in Meldola surroundings in the form of small artisan workshops or business concerns.


Places to see: the natural reserve of Scardavilla with the monastery, the walled village, Teodorano castle, and the Caminate fortress, located on the pass at the border with the Municipality of Predappio.

Altitude: above sea level
Inhabitants: 9278 inhabitants
Surface: 78,85 kmq

How to get there

Meldola can be reached from Forlì driving on the 310 Bidente state road.
The town is 14 km far from Forlì.
It's 19 km far from Forlì tollgate.
The closest train station and airport are in Forlì.

To have tourist informations


Office: Tourist Information Point Council Public Relation Office
Address: Piazza Felice Orsini, 29 - 47014 Meldola
Tel: +39.0543.499411
Fax: +39.0543.490353
Email: urp@comune.meldola.fc.it; sociali.cultura@comune.meldola.fc.it
WEB Site: http://www.comune.meldola.fc.it

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There is also the opportunity to visit the farm companies and holidays farms associated with the Wine and Food Route of the hills around Forlì-Cesena.